Comprising more than 310 fine art handmade prints on paper, Prints & Printmaking features the creations of 34 renowned Arab artists from across the Middle East and North Africa, including: Farid Belkahia, Chaïbia Talal, Dia Al Azzawi, Rafa Nasiri, Suad al-Attar, Marwan Kassab-Bachi, Walid Abu Shakra, Kamal Boullata, Mustafa El Hallaj, Huguette Caland, Shafic Abboud, Halim Jurdak, Samira Badran, Mohammad El Rawas, Ayman Baalbaki, Said Baalbaki, Yvette Achkar – amongst many other notable Arab printmakers who have shaped the medium’s evolution.
Alphabet de Beyrouth, 2011
Lithograph
Through the Prints & Printmaking exhibition, DAF aims to offer visitors a deeper understanding of printmaking’s artistry, while raising awareness about this medium’s significance in shaping the themes and narratives explored by various artists. The exhibition aims to be not just a display of art, but also an educational opportunity to learn about the history and techniques of printmaking. The selected artworks demonstrate a diversity of printmaking techniques, including the complex processes of intaglio, relief, lithography, and silkscreen, each offering a unique perspective and artistic expression.
Nun wa l Qalam, 1983
Silkscreen on paper
In addition to showcasing a wide range of prints from DAF’s extensive collection, the exhibition will also feature archival material, unique artists’ books, and an authentic copy of the first book ever printed in the Eastern part of the Ottoman Empire, The Book of Psalms, which was printed in the monastery of Saint Anthony of Qozhaya in Lebanon in 1610. The book has been borrowed on loan, courtesy of la Bibliothèque Orientale de l’Université Saint-Joseph, USJ, in Beirut.
The history of printmaking is a testament to humanity’s enduring creative and technological exploration. From its ancient origins in Mesopotamia with stamp and cylinder seal printing to the highly specialised and experimental printmaking styles of the 20th century, printmaking has evolved through physical and chemical innovations, shaping the dissemination of image and text across cultures and continents.
The Will of Life, 1994 (part of a book of 6 prints)
Silkscreen on paper
The 20th century was marked by an insurgence of nationalism, state-building, and major political upheavals and changes. The replicability and accessibility of the printmaking medium made it a crucial tool for artistic experimentation, social commentary, and cultural revival. Arab artists and printmakers fuelled the resurgence of printmaking while maintaining its potential as an autonomous art form.
With Prints & Printmaking we want to bring much-needed attention to the rich and intricate world of printmaking in the Arab world—a medium that has often been eclipsed by the rapid rise of digital technologies. This art form, with its deep roots and diverse techniques, deserves to be celebrated and more deeply understood. Through this exhibition, we hope to highlight the unique processes that go into printmaking, while shining a spotlight on the incredible talent of a myriad of Arab printmakers.
Wafa Roz, Director of the Dalloul Art Foundation
Olive-Tree-on-Al-Baten, 1980
Drypoint engraving on copper
Apart from the prints, the show will include 4 filmed interviews produced and conducted by DAF with esteemed modern and contemporary Arab artists-printmakers, including Mohammad Rawas, Samira Badran, Said Baalbaki, and Zeina Badran.
As part of the exhibition’s immersive experience, DAF will offer a series of printmaking workshops at its space, led by Lebanese printmaker Ahmad Ghaddar, aka Renoz (b. 1994). These workshops will provide art enthusiasts with a hands-on opportunity to explore the world of printmaking, allowing them to engage with the medium in a unique and personal way. Further details will be released on DAF’s website and social channels.
WALID ABU SHAKRA, Palestine
Acre, 1976
Aquatint on copper
RACHID KORAICHI, Algeria
The Encirclement of a Man’s Dust, N/A
Etching on copper
RAFA NASIRI, Iraq,
Untitled, 1981
Etching, Aquatint, and Viscosity technique
About the Dalloul Art Foundation
The Ramzi and Saeda Dalloul Art Foundation (DAF) is a Lebanon-based arts institution dedicated to preserving and showcasing modern and contemporary Arab art.
Established in 2016 by Dr Basel Dalloul, the foundation’s roots trace back to his late parents, Dr Ramzi Dalloul and Saeda al-Husseini, who started collecting art in the early 1970s. They purchased art they loved, created by artists with whom they had formed personal connections over the years. Viewing artists as “the keepers of truth and archivists of history”, they acquired a collection of nearly 3,000 pieces, showcasing the diversity of modern and contemporary Arab art. The collection was initiated as “a labour of love”, which Dr Basel has the honour of continuing.
99 Heads (Ibn Arabi), 1997/1998
Etching and Sugar lift and Chine collé or Chinese
paste paper
Through public programmes, exhibitions, online publications, archiving and research, the Dalloul Art Foundation aims to introduce modern and contemporary Arab art to local, regional and international audiences.
The Dalloul Art Foundation has extended the accessibility of its collection and resources to regional and international audiences with the launch of dafbeirut.org. The foundation opens its doors to researchers and doctoral students, offering access to its extensive resources, collection management system, and internal research facilities to support their academic studies.
For more information, please visit www.dafbeirut.org.
